Congress MP from Kannur K Sudhakaran , who stirred a storm by referring to the victim in the Suryanelli rape case as a prostitute, has been condemned by Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) leader Brinda Karat in Delhi on Monday.

Speaking to mediapersons, Brinda Karat criticised Congress leadership over the issue and said: "They (Congress) speak something in their Shivir in Jaipur, talking about dignity of women and they keep silent when one after another Kerala leaders insult the rape survivors."

Condemning the Congress MP from Kannur, K Sudhakaran, Karat said: "It reflects the mindset of a man. I would say that if he had the audacity to make such an outrageous statement insulting the rape survivor, it is because of the silence of the Congress leadership."

During a press conference in Muscat, Sudhakaran has reportedly made the controversial comment. He said: "This girl went out shopping, to meet a doctor. She had enough opportunities to escape. But she didn't. She was sexually involved with many men and benefited from it, and later called it rape. The difference between rape and prostitution has to be defined clearly. It is the necessity of the society."

The MP also called the charges against Rajya Sabha deputy chairman PJ Kurien in the case baseless.

PJ Kurien's name figured again in connection with this case after the victim wrote to her advocate in Delhi to explore the possibility of filing a review petition, seeking a fresh probe against Kurien.

The victim also wrote a letter to Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy and leader of the opposition, VS Achuthanandan, demanding a probe against Kurien to be reopened.

Leader of the opposition in Kerala assembly VS Achuthanandan on Saturday called on the Suryanelli sex case victim at her home.

Emerging from the 20-minute meeting with the victim and her family, Achuthanandan said: "The girl's father has been in poor health, I've only come to enquire after him."

Asked if the political furore over the 17-year-old case featured in his conversation, Achuthanandan said: "I did not come to discuss the case. As for any legal steps I might take, I would first seek legal advice."

The Suryanelli sex scandal gets its name from the place in Idukki district from where the victim hails. In Jan 1996, a 16-year-old was threatened, abducted and abused by a bus conductor and later confined and sexually assaulted for 45 days by 42 men.

The case was back in the spotlight after the Supreme Court ordered a retrial Jan 31, setting aside the acquittal in 2005 by the Kerala High Court of all but one of the 35 accused convicted by a special court.